Instrument for indicating time

ABSTRACT

An instrument for indicating time in which an elongated tube is in registrable relationship with time indicating indicia and in which clock mechanism is employed for effecting longitudinal movement of a colored liquid in the tube progressively in synchronism with the movement of the clock mechanism. Preferably, two such tubes are provided, one indicating the hours and the other indicating the minutes, both being actuated by one clock mechanism.

Parr

INSTRUMENT FOR INDICATING TIME [76] Inventor: Edward L. Parr, 301 N. Cuyamaca,

El Cajon, Calif. 92020 [221' Filed: Oct. 26, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 301,240

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Substitute for Ser. No. 806,412, March .12, 1969,

abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 58/2, 58/42 [51] Int. Cl. G04!) 45/00 [58] Field of Search 58/1, 2, 23 R, 42

[56] v References Cited p UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,531,217 3 192'5 Piatty 58/2 2,065,491 12/1936 Harm 58/2 2,221,413 11/1940 SchanZ 58/2 1 Jan. 8, 1974 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 587,263 11/1933 Germany 58/2 Primary ExaminerRichard B. Wilkinson Assistant ExaminerEdith C. Jackmon Attorney-Brown & Martin 57 ABSTRACT An instrument for indicating time in which an elongated tube is in registrable relationship with time indicating indicia and in which clock mechanism is employed for effecting longitudinal movement of a colored liquid in the tube progressively in synchro'nism with the movement of the clock mechanism. Preferably, two such tubes are provided, one indicating the hours and the other indicating the minutes, both being actuated by one clock mechanism.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 INSTRUMENT FOR INDICATING TIME CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The field is horological instruments and classed in Class 58, Sub-class 2.

2. Description of the Prior Art A US. Pat. to Piatty, No. 1,531,217, issued Mar. 24, 1925, discloses a clock which measures time by the flow of liquid. A vessel is filled manually at twelve-hour intervals and the flow of water therefrom is controlled by an adjustable spigot. While such a clock could be madeaccurate if the indicia scale were computed to compensate for the changing static head pressure of the receding liquid, the vessel must be filled manually twice daily, at noon and at midnight.

A US. Pat. to Harm, No. 2,065,491, issued Dec. 22, 1936, discloses a clock in which the hours and minutes are indicated by linearly movable strips which are moved by drums, which drums are turned by clock mechanism. Complicated mechanism must be employed for quickly changing the indicator strips from one extremeposition to the other, forexample, changingthe minute indicator strip from to 60 and the hour indicating strip from 0 to 12.

A U.S. Pat. to Schanz, No. 2,221,413, issued Nov. 12, 1940, employs a chain for moving a pointer over straight-line indicia. Like in Harm, complicated mechanism must be employed for quickly changing the pointer from 0 to 12.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In practicing the present invention, one and prefera- My two elongated tubes are employed, each adapted to contain a liquid having a color which contrasts with that of the background of the support therefor. Each tube is in open communication with an expandable and contractible vessel. The liquid is moved progressively in the tubes by progressively varying, respectively, the capacities of the vessels. The capacity of one of the vessels is controlled by the minute shaft of a clock mechanism and the capacity of the other vessel is controlled by the hour shaft of that clock mechanism.

Other features and the advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic and perspective view illustrating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view showing the forward sides of the clock mechanism actuated cams and their relationships with the expandable and contractible vessels;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of arrows 3--3 of FIG. 2 and showing the hour shaft in section; 7

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing part of the panel which supports the expandable and contractible vessels and the levers for moving the flexible wallsfor the vessel, the view being on a longer scale;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the time indicating tubes, the longitudinally adjustable charts bearing the hour and minute numerals, and showing the support for those elements; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more in detail to the drawings, the clock mechanism 20 may be of any approved type, such as spring wound, weight actuated or electric motor driven, such as that shown in the aforementioned US. Pat. to Harm, No. 2,065,491. Such clock mechanism would have at least one shaft extending therefrom which would be rotated at a rate of, for example, once every 12 hours or once every 24 hours. However, in the preferred embodiment, the clock mechanism rotates two concentric shafts '22 and 24, the shaft 22 being hollow for receiving the shaft 24. The shaft 22 rotates at a rate of once every twelve hours and the shaft 24 rotates at the rate of once every hour. Shaft 22 carries and rotates a cam 26 and shaft 24 carries and rotates a cam 28.

As disclosed in FIG. 2, the earns 26 and 28 are of the involute type. Each cam is provided with a gradually inclining radial edge section 27 and a return step edge section 29. The return step edgesections extend sub- 26 and 28 forwardly of rear section 32. Two levers 38 and 40 are pivotally attached to panel section 32 by studs 42 and 44. The free ends 46 and 48 of the levers are engaged, respectively, by the peripheries of the cams 26 and 28. Panel wings 34 and 36 carry expansible and contractible vessels 50 and 52, respectively, on the exterior sides thereof. Those vessels are identical in construction and one, namely, vessel 50, is shown in detail in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, vessel 50 is carried by a casing '54 including two casing sections 56 and 58. Section 56 is recessed to form a circularly shaped abutment 60. That section includes also a cylindrical hollow extension 62. Casing section 58 includes a cylindrical portion 64 which is received by extension 62 of casing section 56. These sections may be formed of plastic and held in place by a glue, cement or epoxy. Cylindrical portion 64 of easing section 58 includes a rigid tube section 65 which is externally threaded andextends through a vertically extending slot 66 in wing 34 of panel 30. It is held in vertically adjusted position by two nuts 68 which are clamped to the wing on opposite sides of the slot.

Cylindrical portion 64 of easing section 58 is recessed to form a cylindrically shaped abutment 70 which confronts the abutment 60 of. casing section 56. The outer circular portion of a flexible, expansible and contractible vessel wall 72 is held in sealing and clamped position between these abutrnents. Thus the section 56 forms a recessed wall which, with flexible wall 72, forms the expansible and contractible chamber 74 of vessel 50.

-Cylindrical portion 64 of casing section 58 is centrally recessed at 76 to receive a solid button 80 which is formed integrally withthe wall or diaphragm 72. Sufficient clearance is maintained between the periphery of the button and the inner surface of the recess so that the chamber 82, formed by diaphragm 72 and portion 64, can breathe. Recess 76 is axially aligned with the tube section 64. A pin 84 extends through the tube section 64 and into recess 76. The inner end of pin 84 abuts the cam-following arm 38 and the outer end of the pin abuts the end of the button 80. Sufficient clearance is maintained between the pin and tube section 64 so that air can pass between the pin and tube section. Thus the chamber 82 is free to breathe, yet the button and pin are guided in their reciprocating movements.

As viewed in FIG. 4, the outer end of casing section 56 is provided with a nipple 86 which is connected by coupling 88 with a tube 90 formed of transparent material, the outer end 92 of which forms the hour indicating tube. The capacity of chamber 74 of vessel 50 can be regulated by adjusting the position of a screw 94 which is threaded into casing section 56. The screw is held in adjusted position by a lock nut 96. Reciprocation of the diaphragm 72 of vessel 50 effects reciprocation of the liquid in tube 90 and the hour indicating end 92 thereof.

As previously stated, the construction of vessel 50 is the same as that of vessel 52 and the mechanism for operating the same is like that provided for vessel 50. However, the casing like casing 54 is shown as casing 95, the corresponding tube section as 97 and the corresponding pin as 98. Wing 36 of panel 32 is provided with a vertically extending slot 100 which receives tube section 96 which is held in vertically adjusted position by nuts 102. The nipple 104 leading from the vessel 52 is connected with a transparent tube 106 by coupling 108. The outer end 110 of tube 106 forms the minute time indicating tube.

From the foregoing it will be understood that when cam 26 rotates in a clockwise direction by the clock mechanism 20, pin 84 will be moved by the camfollower lever 38 to the right as viewed in FIG. 4, causing movement of the flexible wall 72 of vessel 50 toward collapsing position, forcing indicating liquid through the nipple 88, coupling 90, tube 92 and upwardly into the minute indicating tube 92. Likewise, clockwise movement of the cam 28 by the clock mechanism will cause cam-follower lever 40 to impart movementof pin 98 to the left, to cause movement of the flexible wall of vessel 52 toward collapsing position and thereby cause more indicating liquid to be forced through tube 106 and flow upwardly into the hour indicating tube 110.

The flow of liquids upwardly into the indicating tubes will continue until, for example, the cam apex 112 of cam 26 passes beyond the cam-following end 46 of lever 38. Then, by reason of the weight of the liquid, the cam-follower lever 38 will be forced over the return step edge section 29 of the cam toward the peripheral surface of cam 26 which is nearest theaxis thereof. Such movement of the liquid can be enhanced by a spring 114 which is under compression and interposed between the casing section 56 and the diaphragm 72. Thus the expansion movement to be imparted to vessel 52 causes rapid receding of the liquid in minute indicating tube 92. The apex of cam 28 isshown at 116. It will be understood that like receding action of liquid takes place in the hour indicating tube 110 after the apex 116 moves beyond the cam-follower end 48.

The time indicating tubes 92 and 1 10 are secured preferably to a common panel 1 18, having the hour and minute numerals imprinted thereon, by a superimposed transparent plastic covering 120. These panels may be secured to one another in any suitable manner as by cement.

Since the full extent of movement of the flexible wall 72 of the vessels 50 and 52 is governed by the width of the cam, and since slight variation in capacity of chamber 57 of the vessel occurs due to variation in manufacture, and because of the movement of liquid, for example, from the upper number 1 to the lower 1 and vice versa, in tubes 96 for each revolution of the cam 26, the capacity of each vessel must be such that with each complete revolution of the cam, the exact quantity of liquid is delivered to and removed from the tube. Such capacity of vessels 50 and 52 can be controlled by adjusting the position of screws 94. Also the displacement of the chamber 74 of either vessel 50 or 52 can be controlled by controlling the relative positions of the pin 84 for vessel 50 and pin 98 for vessel 52 with respect to the contact points with the cam-follower levers 38 and 40, respectively. If a larger amount of displacements are desirable as for relatively long, time indicating tubes, then in that event casing 54 is moved downwardly and casing is moved upwardly. or, if smaller amounts of displacement are desirable as for relatively short time indicating tubes, then in that eventthe casing 54 is moved upwardly and casing 95 is moved downwardly. These casings are held in adjusted positions by nuts 68 and 102, respectively.

The liquid in the tubes is of the antifreeze type and contains a dye to effect distinct contrast between the liquid and the indicia panel. The panels can be any dsired length. For example, they can be several stories in vertical length and fastened to a side of a tall building so that the time of the day can be discerned at a great distance.

It will be appreciated that only a small amount of air is being moved above the liquid in the tubes when the liquid rises or falls. However, to assure sealing of the upper ends of the tubes without materially effecting change in pressure during the rising or receding of liquid in the tubes, the ends of the tubes are sealed by mouth-inflatable, toy balloons 126 which offer negligible resistance during expansion or contraction thereof.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that by virtue of the present invention, I have provided a time piece which provides ready reading thereof at great distances, yet which is inexpensive to manufacture since the, clock mechanism can be of the electric type now on the open market. Furthermore, it is simple in construction and can be adjusted readily.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An instrument for indicating time, comprising in combination:

A. means forming an elongated tube containing a liquid and forming time indicia in registrable association with the tube;

B. means for effecting gradual and slow longitudinal movement of the liquid in one direction in the tube during a predetermined length of time and for effecting a relatively quick longitudinal movement of the liquid in the opposite direction in the tube during a fraction of said predetermined length of time, said latter means including:

l. a vessel in open communication with the tube,

said vessel having a movable wall,

3. an involute-type cam on the shaft for moving the cam-follower, said cam having: a. an edge section which inclines gradually radially with respect to the axis of the shaft,

b. a return step edge section connecting the opin that the camfollower is in the form of an elongated lever and that the element is a pin, said pin being engaged by the lever, and further characterized in that the vessel is adjustable longitudinally of the lever.

posite ends of the radial edge section, said rein that the said cam (B) (3) also includes: (B) (3) (e) a spring yieldingly opposing the movement of the wall.

3. An instrument as defined in claim 1, characterized to include:

(C) means for varying the capacity of the vessel.

4. An instrument as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the said cam (B) (3) also includes: (B) (3) (e) a spring yieldingly opposing the movement of the wall; and further characterized to include:

(C) means for varying the capacity of the vessel.

5. An instrument as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the vessel is in open communication with one end of the tube, and further characterized to include:

(C) a flexible vessel in open communication with the other end of the tube.

6. An instrument as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the means (B) (3) (0) includes:

(B) (3) (c) (i) an element between the cam-follower and the movable wall of the vessel for moving the said wall through the movement of the cam, said vessel being adjustable relative to the camfollowers upon thesupport;

and further characterized to include:

(C) a support for the cam-follower and the vessel;

8. An instrument for indicating time, comprising in combination:

A. support means having:

l. a set of time indicia thereon,

2. a second set of time indicia thereon;

B. an elongated transparent tube containing a liquid and supported by the supporting means and disposed in registrable relationship with the time indicating indicia;

C. a second elongated tube supported by the supporting means and disposed in registrable relationship with the second mentioned time indicating indicia;

D. means for effecting longitudinal movements of the liquids in the tubes, said means including:

1. an expansible and 'contractible vessel in open communication with one of the tubes and having: a. a movable wall, I

2. a second expansible and contractiblevessel in open communication with the other of the tubes and having:

a. a movable wall,

3. two cams movable at different speeds, one for moving one of the movable walls and the other for moving the other movable wall,

' 4 clock mechanism including:

a. arotatable shaft coaxially mounting said cams,

b. cam-followers mounted on the clock mechanism engaging said cams,

c. a pin engaged by one of the cam-followers and engaging the movable wall of one of the vessels to effect expansion and contraction of said one vessel,

d. a second pin engaged by the other camfollower and engaging the movable wall of the other vessel to effect expansion and contrac- 

1. An instrument for indicating time, comprising in combination: A. means forming an elongated tube containing a liquid and forming time indicia in registrable association with the tube; B. means for effecting gradual and slow longitudinal movement of the liquid in one direction in the tube during a predetermined length of time and for effecting a relatively quick longitudinal movement of the liquid in the opposite direction in the tube during a fraction of said predetermined length of time, said latter means including:
 1. a vessel in open communication with the tube, said vessel having a movable wall,
 2. a shaft,
 3. an involute-type cam on the shaft for moving the camfollower, said cam having: a. an edge section which inclines gradually radially with respect to the axis of the shaft, b. a return step edge section connecting the opposite ends of the radial edge section, said return step edge extending substantially radially, c. means for moving the movable wall of the vessel including a cam-follower engageable with the sections of the cam, d. a clock for continuously rotating the shaft for providing progressive movement of the cam-follower over the inclining radial edge section and then over the return step edge section.
 2. An instrument as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the said cam (B) (3) also includes: (B) (3) (e) a spring yieldingly opposing the movement of the wall.
 2. a shaft,
 2. a second expansible and contractible vessel in open communication with the other of the tubes and having: a. a movable wall,
 2. a second set of time indicia thereon; B. an elongated transparent tube containing a liquid and supported by the supporting means and disposed in registrable relationship with the time indicating indicia; C. a second elongated tube supported by the supporting means and disposed in registrable relationship with the second mentioned time indicating indicia; D. means for effecting longitudinal movements of the liquids in the tubes, said means including:
 3. two cams movable at different speeds, one for moving one of the movable walls and the other for moving the other movable wall,
 3. An instrument as defined in claim 1, characterized to include: (C) means for varying the capacity of the vessel.
 3. an involute-type cam on the shaft for moving the cam-follower, said cam having: a. an edge section which inclines gradually radially with respect to the axis of the shaft, b. a return step edge section connecting the opposite ends of the radial edge section, said return step edge extending substantially radially, c. means for moving the movable wall of the vessel including a cam-follower engageable with the sections of the cam, d. a clock for continuously rotating the shaft for providing progressive movement of the cam-follower over the inclining radial edge section and then over the return step edge section.
 4. clock mechanism including: a. a rotatable shaft coaxially mounting said cams, b. cam-followers mounted on the clock mechanism engaging said cams, c. a pin engaged by one of the cam-followers and engaging the movable wall of one of the vessels to effect expansion and contraction of said one vessel, d. a second pin engaged by the other cam-follower and engaging the movable wall of the other vessel to effect expansion and contraction of the latter vessel.
 4. An instrument as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the said cam (B) (3) also includes: (B) (3) (e) a spring yieldingly opposing the movement of the wall; and further characterized to include: (C) means for varying the capacity of the vessel.
 5. An instrument as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the vessel is in open communication with one end of the tube, and further characterized to include: (C) a flexible vessel in open communication with the other end of the tube.
 6. An instrument as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the means (B) (3) (c) includes: (B) (3) (c) (i) an element between the cam-follower and the movable wall of the vessel for moving the said wall through the movement of the cam, said vessel being adjustable relative to the camfollowers upon the support; and further characterized to include: (C) a support for the cam-follower and the vessel; (D) means for fixing the vessel in adjusted position on the support.
 7. An instrument as defined in claim 6, characterized in that the cam-follower is in the form of an elongated lever and that the element is a pin, said pin being engaged by the lever, and further characterized in that the vessel is adjustable longitudinally of the lever.
 8. An instrument for indicating time, comprising in combination: A. support means having: 